America
First Aid Kit
From their 2014 album, Keep Calm & Chillout
Written by Paul Simon in 1968

I have always liked Simon and Garfunkel and this song. And then I went to see First Aid Kit, who are a a Swedish folk duo consisting of the sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg. They performed this song and I loved their phrasing and harmonies and their take on the song. Their version is only slightly different to the original, but it is their vocals that won me over. It is hard to like a cover of a song that you have enjoyed for so long, but this one did it.

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Into my arms
Nick Cave
Featured on his 1997 album, The Boatman's Call
Written by Nick Cave

How to choose one Nick song from the collection of stunning songs that he has created? It is hard to put anything before this one. He wrote this while in rehab, and its melancholic lyrics are related to the break-up of his long-term relationship with Viviane Carneiro and his subsequent brief relationship and break-up with English musician PJ Harvey. As a song, it has it all - superb lyrics, great melody, simple delivery, and an emotive performance.

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Asleep
Angie Hart
Featured on her 2007 album, Grounded Bird
Written by: Angie Hart

I have seen Angie a few tomes over the years in various guises. She is most famous for being in the band Frente, but that disbanded before I arrived in Australia - though I have seen the band perform a couple of songs once, but it has mostly been Angie on her own. She's written some good stuff over the years and has a gentle atmouspheric style to her voice and melody. This song is rolls along and carries you with it - it just sits well with me.

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Tua
Stan Walker
Featured on his 2020 album, Live with The Levites
Written by: Stan Walker, Ashton Parson, Michael Jade, Ryan Lewis

A great song, sung in Maori, and talks of Stan's self-reflection, resilience, and finding strength in his own journey to overcome obstacles. It talks of the importance of holding on to one's distant dreams and aspirations, regardless of current difficulties. I love the sound of the Maori language, but without knowing any of the meaning, I have to rely on what I read. The power, control and feel of Stan's vocals are always impressive and this song has all of that. Great melody and rhythm and a powerful performance. (featuring Ibanez Maeva)

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Carolina in My Mind
James Taylor
Featured on his 1968 self-titled album
Written by James Taylor

Written whilst he was in London recording at the Beatles Apple Studio, this is a song about him being homesick - the original recording had Paul McCartney on bass and George Harrison on backing vocals, but the most famous version was recorded in 1976. It has been part of his concerts ever since and is a country/folk classic. The great flow of the guitar, his voice being reflective, and nice backing vocals. It is just a great song.

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Feeling Good
Vika and Linda
Featured on the 1999 album, Two Wings
Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse in 1964

I have enjoyed a lot of their shows over my time and they have so many songs to choose from and so many different styles. I was tempted to choose a gospel song as they do them so well, but then I went for Feeling Good as I like this cover and how they each of them use their voices, and the harmonies are great. And a great big-band sound to back them too. The album this is on was released soon after I had become a fan, so this has memories attached too.

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Shipbuilding
Elvis Costello
Featured on his 1983 album, Punch the Clock
Written by Elvis Costello (lyrics) and Clive Langer (music)

As I'm seeing Elvis later this week, here's an oldy, but a goody. This song was written during the Falklands War (1982) talking of the irony of the war bringing back prosperity to the traditional shipbuilding areas in the UK to build new ships to replace those being sunk in the war, whilst also sending off the sons of these areas to fight and, potentially, lose their lives in those same ships. It is sung with real feeling, and the music is underplayed to allow the lyrics to be the focus - and great piano and trumpet to add more flavour.

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Baptism by Fire
Tom Jones & Jools Holland
Featured on their 2004 self-titled album, 'Tom Jones & Jools Holland'
Written by Jools Holland, Sam Brown, Tom Jones

I was very happy when Tom and Jools released an album together as I am huge fan of Jools and I do like Tom too. The album is great, but I chose this song because it allows both of them to do what they do and the result is a great song. Tom's voice is used to great effect and covers a few shades as required. And good backing vocals in there too.

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Down In Mississippi
Mavis Staples
Featured on her 2007 album, We'll Never Turn Back
Written by J. B. Lenoir in 1970

I think that Mavis Staples has one of the best voices out there. Whenever I have seen her live, I am moved by what she does with her voice. Whatever she does, it is uniquely her sound, richness and tone that results in that voice owning everything it touches. This song demonstrates the style of her vocals - an old song, but a goody. It was tough to pick just one song, but this is the one that came to mind. I've been a fan of hers since I first heard The Staple Singers back in my youth.

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Emma's Song
Sinéad O'Connor
Featured on her 2000 album, Faith and Courage
Written by Sinéad O'Connor

So hard to choose a favourtie Sinéad song. My favourite album of hers is Faith and Courage, so I have chosen Emma's Song from that. I don't know who Emma is or whether she is an amalgamation of people - it certainly describes a complex relationship from maternal to romantic and blurry between that. It has nostalgia, love, loss, regret and hope. It has the sweetness of Sinéad's voice and the emotion that she brings to a song - particularly one that is special to her. It is a simple and haunting melody and it is a great song.

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Cry to Me
Solomon Burke
Featured on his 1962 album, Rock 'n Soul
Written by Bert Berns in 1961

I consider Solomon's voice as one of the all-time best, and I love a lot of his songs - though knowing that he released 38 albums in his 55 year career, there are a lot I haven't heard. I never got to see him live, much to my dismay, but have seen plenty of clips.. Though most of his famous songs were in the 1960s, he was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. I was tempted to share Fast Car from his 2002 album ‘Don't Give Up On Me’ but I then landed on ‘Cry To Me’ as I have liked it for so long.

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Bell, Book & Candle
Boo Hewerdine
Featured on his 1999 album, Thanksgiving
Written by Boo Hewerdine

I first encountered Boo when he was playing in Eddi Reader's band. She has recorded a number of his songs, and he tours with her and does solo shows too. He is an incredibly talented songwriter and his poetic lyrics paint great pictures - he has a great gift that he has put to good use. The fact that I like his version of songs I first heard Eddi sing, is not something that I'd expect to say, but he has a level of vulnerability to his voice and sings a great story. This is a beautiful song.

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Ae Fond Kiss
Eddi Reader
Featured on her 2003 album, Sings The Songs of Robert Burns
Written by Robert Burns in 1791

Eddi Reader is one of my favourite performers to see live - I saw her once before I left the UK and several times since being here. She creates a special atmousphere that you can lose yourself in. There are so many songs of hers that I like but when thinking of which to share, this one came to front of mind. It is her take of the Robert Burns poem 'Ae fond kiss and then we sever'. The lyrics are fantastic, the melody fits the mood of the words and the delivery enhances it further. It is a beautiful song.

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Saying Goodbye
Ondara
Featured on his 2019 album, Tales of America
Written by J S Ondara

The first thing to grab me about J.S. Ondara was his unique voice - it is a strong instrument. In this song, his voice has a slight echo applied to it as he sings of parting ways with a loved one. It is a striking piece of work and a catchy song. Not sure what style it is, maybe Americana with a soul layer. I am off to see him for the first time this week - it is a solo show, so I am looking forward to his intepretation of this and other songs.

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Naima
Angelique Kidjo
Featured on her 1996 album, Fifa
Written by Angelique Kidjo

I first heard the sound of Angelique in a record shop in Southampton in 1996. The album playing was Fifa and I loved it then and I love it now. The final song on the album is Naima that she had written to her daughter of that name - who was 2 at the time of writing. I don't know what the song means but I have always liked it - it has a lot of beauty in its delivery. I've seen Angelique perform live on 3 occasions - and that becomes 4 tomorrow. I could talk about how much of her stuff I enjoy, but this post is about songs - and this is one that, though it doesn't reflect the energy of Angelique, it has a great feel.

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Sister Goodbye
Emily Barker
Featured on her 2017 album, Sweet Kind of Blue
Written by Emilie Barker

Emily Barker is a great song-writer and a great interpreter of the songs of others. This song was written by her from the point of view of one of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s best friends, Marie Knight. The two of them would take off in a big, fancy car, set up their own stage equipment, do each other’s hair and makeup, and then put on a blinding show. Sister Rosetta on the guitar, Marie on the piano, their two voices interweaving in the most fluid and playful way. When Sister Rosetta died, it was Marie who prepared Rosetta’s hair and make-up, for the final time, before she was buried. The thought of Marie saying goodbye to her friend for the last time was the inspiration Em ily to write this song.

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Best Part Of Me
Busby Marou
Featured on their 2017 album, Postcards from the Shell House'
Written by Thomas Busby & Jeremy Marou

I first heard this duo when they did the support for Elton John. They have a very attractive style - laid back, great and catchy melodies. I have seen them a couple of times since and I just enjoy the pace and energy of their sound and their seemingly effortless way. This song is simple and enjoyable, and the video was filmed on Great Keppel Island up in Queensland - where they wrote and recorded most of the album.

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Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
Colin Hay
Featured on his 1994 album, Topanga
Written by Colin Hay

Colin has written many songs and they are mostly crackers. This is a favourite of mine, and having seen him a few times live, this song always gets a great reaction - it's a beauty. He wrote this song after Men at Work had ended and his career wasn't going as he had hoped. He was hoping for a big break to kick-start things, but then realised that this was his life and he should stop looking back, but embrace it and be free of the past. The song is written about the version of him that existed before this realisation - while he was determining what to do with the rest of his life.

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Both Sides Now
Seal
Featured on the 2019 album, Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration
Written by Joni Mitchell in 1966

Joni Mitchell has written so many great songs, but this one stands almost at the top of the pile for me. It is appreciated by many and has been covered and used multiple times. When I watched the concert put on for her 75th birthday (2019), Seal came on and performed a version that feels faultless to me. He's got the intonation and feel and he allows the song to shine. It was hard not to pick Joni singing it, but a good cover is worth a listen.

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Think about you
Sam Burke
Featured on her 2008 album, Sam Burke & The Wifeys
Written by Tiffany Eckhardt in 1998

I can't remember whether I saw Sam Burke perform as a busker or she was supporting somebody - it was a lot of years ago. I bought one album and it featured a couple of songs that stood out to me, but I selected this one because it stays in my head after each listen. It has great harmonising (starting half way through, during the chorus) and it always makes me stop what I'm doing to listen and sing along (in my head). Not sure why this song gets me, but I love it.

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Tennessee Whiskey
Stan Walker & Parson James
Featured on their 2018 single release
Written by Dean Dillon & Linda H Bartholomew in 1981

I like a lot of what Stan Walker has delivered, and last year I came across this single that he recorded with Parson James, and it blew me away. Such great voices and harmonies and the song is gorgeous anyway. Stan always surrounds himself with great musicians and creates some fantastic sounds that cover a few genres. Stan is a proud Māori who has done many songs in his native tongue. I don't know much about Parson James - other than he does a great job on this song.

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Dublin Rain
Gallie
Featured on his 2023 album, Dublin Rain
Written by Darren Gallagher

I have seen Gallie many times - lots of venues, lots of lineups - every show a classic. The man has so much talent as a songwriter, guitarist, arranger, and singer. He is the complete deal and it amazes me that he isn't bigger than he is. His songs tell good stories - captivating and real - he captures tales with the right words, great melodies and a lot of feel to them too. He has written about many things, and this is one is about missing home - though he loves it here, Ireland is in his heart.

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Thorn in My Heart
Kim Richie
Featured on her 2013 album, Thorn in My Heart
Written by Kim Richie

I first heard Kim when she was the support for Eddi Reader a few years ago. I've seen her a couple of times since when she's visited, and it was beautiful on both occasions. She is a great songwriter with a wonderful feel for music and melody. Her sweet voice makes songs roll along and she adds the required emotion to any song. She is simply a delightful performer and I love this song, though there were a couple of others than tempted me, but this won out. In second place was 'Once in your life'.

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Love Like Blood
Mollie O'Brien
Featured on her 1998 album, Big Red Sun Blues
Written by John Hiatt in 1983

Not sure when I first heard Mollie O'Brien, but she is a rare talent - love her voice, song writing, and song choices. Picking a song to share was tough, but I love her version of this John Hiatt song - it shows what her voice can do for a song and it is so well produced. Always happy when she randomly comes up when I shuffle my music selection. This is a great cover. I just shuiffled through some Mollie songs online, and there isn't a bad one there - what a talent.

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Took The Children Away
Archie Roach
Featured on his 1990 album, Charcoal Lane
Written by Archie Roach

This song is very moving as it tells the story of Archie's experience of being forcibly removed from his family and moved across the country and put in the home of a white family - as happened to thousands of indigenous kids. I saw Archie perform this song several times, the most moving being when he sang it in Federation Square on Sorry Day (2008). So a great song and an important song - it will remain with people and be a reminder, and I've already heard it covered a couple of times.

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Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
Melanie
Featured on her 1970 album, Candles in the Rain
Written by Melanie Safka

Following news of her passing today, I want to share my favourite Melanie song. She was a hippy to the core and was quirky and interesting and remained authentic throughout her time. This song captured me when I first heard it and I loved the choir (the Edwin Hawkins Singers), the rhythm of the verses and the power of the chorus. The song describes what she felt as she looked out at the sea of people in the audience when she played Woodstock in 1969.

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You Will Surely Love Again
Chris Wilson
Featured on his 1994 album, Live at the Continental
Written by Chris Wilson

This week marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of one of my all-time favourite performers, Chris Wilson. Fantastic harmonica player and singer, played a few instruments well, good song writer, and a top bloke. I have seen him perform more than anyone else, and every time was a pleasure. He just created the best experiences and I miss having him around. Recordings don't do him justice, but this is a live recording of a gentler number and a favourite.

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Jersey Girl
Andy Cowan
Featured on his 2001 album, 10:30 Thursdays
Written by Tom Waits in 1980

I've always liked this song and in 2001 I heard Andy Cowan do a version that has become my favourite. Andy used to be performing quite a lot in Melbourne as he drifted between the blues and jazz scenes. He was temperamental, but that is because he cared about the music and it being heard. I used to enjoy when he'd stop a song to tell somebody to shut up asnd then start again. I haven't heard mention of him for a few year, but regardless,he did a great version of a great song.

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What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Alma Zygier
Featured on Paul Kelly's 2021 album, Christmas Train
Written by Frank Loesser in 1947

This is a beautifully crafted song with a graceful flow to the melody. I've liked it since hearing Ella Fitzgerald do a version back in the 1980s. I found myself humming it the other day and I think that is due to hearing Alma perform it in her Christmas show with her dad, Willy Zygier, on guitar. I love most things that Alma does, and this captures some of her magic and vocal control. She is also one of those talents who is better live than on record, so see her if you can.

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